14th century Yorkshire: the time of Chaucer. Sometimes things must get worse before they get better. Lent is cold, wet and austere, and the brothers long for their new abbot, John Hazell, to take up the reins. But on the first day of John's abbacy, Prior William de Bulmer rocks up at their door, seeking refuge from his numerous enemies. His priory is a charred ruin, and he has nowhere else to go. Appalled to be taking in this man who so ill-treated their beloved former abbot, the community must address old resentments and new divisions. Can grace prevail? Will their refugee receive healing – or spread poison? In her fourth book in the series, Penelope Wilcock explores the difficulties of seeing someone else's point of view, and the cautions necessary to rebuild trust. What really is the hardest thing to do? The story takes the reader through every day of Lent in 1320, starting with Ash Wednesday and ending on Easter Day. “You will love this novel.” – Liz Curtis Higgs, New York Times bestselling author The series continues with The Hour before Dawn.